From George Washington to Nathaniel Ramsay, 13 August 1797
To Nathaniel Ramsay
Mount Vernon 13th Augt 1797.
Dear Sir,
The bearer, Mr Jno. Anderson, son of my Manager (with a light carriage) is sent for the calf from the Eastern shore, and the sheep mentioned in my last, if Mr Gough has them to spare. If you have not seen that Gentleman, and learnt that Andersons going to him would be fruitless, he is directed to proceed with the letter of which he is possessed, for Mr Gough.1
I would thank you for causing the enclosed advertisement to be inserted three times with the interval of a week between each, the expence of which I will pay the Printer as soon as it is made known to me. Mrs Washington is greatly distressed and fateigued from the want of such a character as I am inviting.2
Does the Baltimore Telegraph come under the description of a Democratic Paper? or what is its character & reputation?3 With great esteem—I remain Dr Sir—Yr Obedt Servt
Go: Washington
ALS (letterpress copy), NN: Washington Papers.
1. See GW to Ramsay, 11 August.
2. The advertisement as it appeared in the Federal Gazette & Baltimore Daily Advertiser, on 17 Aug. reads:
Wanted, at Mount Vernon,
a house-keeper,
competent to all the duties of that office, in a large family—For such, one hundred and fifty dollars per annumwill be allowed.
or,
In place of a Housekeeper, a household stewart, well acquainted with the duties of a butler, and skilled in the art of cookery (the manual part of which would not be required of him) would be employed at the above, or greater wages, if his qualifications entitle him to them.
no person, in either case, need apply personally, or by letter, who cannot produce the most satisfactory evidence of his, or her sobriety and integrity, as well as fitness in other respects.
George Washington.
3. See Ramsay to GW, 17 Aug., n.3.